Radial keratotomy

Radial keratotomy (RK) is a refractive surgical procedure to correct myopia. The procedure consists of numerous radial incisions which extend from the pupil to the periphery of the cornea in a pattern like the spokes of a wheel. It was discovered by accident by Dr. Svyatoslav Fyodorov who removed glass from the eye of one of his patients who had been in a fight. The patient's eyesight improved after the glass was removed.

In RK, incisions are made with a precision calibrated diamond knife. The incisions must be quite deep to cause central corneal flattening, and the procedure is not as precise as lasik and PRK. Few surgeons now perform RK because it is less predictable. Arcuate keratotomy is still popular to correct astigmatism. It is also done with a diamond knife but astigmatism cuts are done parallel to the edge of the cornea.

References

• Radial Keratotomy: An Explanation of the Procedure